House System

We want to help every child feel part of our community, to develop as people and to be able to make the most of the many fabulous opportunities on offer. Here at The Grange this comes in the form of the House system.

Our House system gives all students the chance to compete in creative, academic and sporting arenas and joins students and staff together across year groups. Each House is named after a Cheshire river and has its own mascot and personality. The four houses are Bollin, which is represented by a blue bear, Dane which is symbolised by a red dragon, Weaver who’s mascot is a yellow wolf and Gowy who are represented by a goat.

Your house is...

Bollin

Bollin House is led by Mr Boardman and is a traditional powerhouse of the House Shield competition. They have an excellent track-record in the House music competitions winning in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, and have a reputation for taking an early lead and holding on to it.

The spirit animal of Bollin House is Bollin Bear. A master of imagination and creativity, they are also ready to get stuck in to bring their visions to life… character traits that probably explains their success in House Music!

What’s on offer?

There’s a wide range of competitions and activities to get involved in. If you enjoy sport you can get involved in friendly competitions in Football, Netball, Hockey, Rugby, Ergo, Tennis and many more. All for the glory of your House!

If, however, sporty endeavours are not your cup of tea, you can also get involved in more ‘cerebral’ competitions such as chess, scrabble or Sudoku. Or form part of the team in the ever-popular House Quiz event.

We also give you the opportunity to display your creative side through House Art, House Cookery and the House Literary competition. Whilst there are House competitions nearly every Thursday, there are some bigger “set-piece” events that happen every year.

House Music and House Drama

These events happen alternately each year. Each House performs a piece which is directed by Sixth Form students and anyone can, and does, join in whether they want a leading role or to be part of their House’s back stage crew. The final student-created spectaculars are then performed in the school’s Theatre in front of live audiences of fellow students and parents.

Sports Day

One of the final events of the school year is Sports Day. The atmosphere is always one of fun and friendly rivalry as students compete in the various athletic endeavours. With plenty of points on offer for the different events, this can often be where the House shield is won or lost!

Supporting is just as important as participation

You will attend weekly House meetings where you can find out about upcoming events and competitions. However, just as important as the participants in the competitions are the students who come to enthusiastically support their friends. So, whether participating as a competitor, or cheering-on from the side-lines, the message is “come along and get involved!”

Homework

In Year 7 you will receive two or three pieces of subject homework each evening. Each piece of homework should take about 20 minutes. Homework is currently uploaded onto Firefly so that it can be accessed using your device.

Lost property

Please ensure that your uniform and property is clearly named. You should report missing items in the first instance to your Form Tutor who will check the Lost Property log. At the end of term all items that have been named will be returned to the appropriate form tutors. Anything that remains unclaimed at the end of term will be sent for recycling.

Books and Stationery

Text and exercise books, as well as paper, are provided by subject departments within the School. Pupils are recommended to bring with them the following items:

• An approved electronic device - more details on this will follow

• A Scientific Calculator – recommended versions can be ordered via the Bursary

• Black or blue handwriting pens

• Pencils and rubber

• Coloured pencils

• 30cm ruler

• Highlighters

• Geometry set including set square, set of compasses

• Felt-tip pens

• A reading book

• You will also require a Lab Coat for Science and a striped navy apron for Food & Nutrition.

Medical information

The Grange School has an onsite nurse. If you feel unwell then you must visit the medical room to see the nurse or a trained first aider before being sent home sick. Please do not contact your parents yourself and ask to be collected. Your parents will have already provided us with details of any known medical conditions, which the nurses are able to access.

All pupils at the Grange carry their own emergency medication if deemed old enough and competent enough to do so. Please make sure that if you are carrying your own emergency medication, then you know where it is and how to use it. It is school policy that pupils with asthma must carry an emergency rescue inhaler (usually blue ventolin/ salbutamol) at all times.

The School cannot give out paracetamol or other painkillers without parental consent; therefore if you require painkillers while in school, a nurse or first aider team member will seek your parent or guardian’s consent by telephone before administering medication.

We are an Allergy Aware School and as such you must not bring any nuts or nutbased products into school (including pine nuts/pesto). If you have been diagnosed as anaphylactic or at high risk of anaphylaxis and carry emergency adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs), then you are required to have two in school at all times.

Small cuts and grazes can be dealt with by teachers using first aid kits located all around the school.

Term Dates

2023-2024

AUTUMN TERM – 2023

Term Starts Thursday 31st August 2023

Bewerley Park Thursday 31st August - Saturday 2nd September

Half Term Monday 16th October – Monday 30th October inclusive

INSET Monday 30th October 2023

Term Ends Wednesday 20th December 2023 (full day)

Useful Contact Details

The Grange Senior School Bradburns Lane

Hartford Northwich CW8 1LU

Main school number is 01606 533431 Email office@grange.org.uk

Head of Year 7 Mr Cusick Ncusick@grange.org.uk

SPRING TERM – 2024

INSET/Entrance Exam Thursday 4th January 2024

INSET Friday 5th January 2024

Term Starts Monday 8th January 2024

Half Term Monday 19th – Friday 23rd February inclusive

Term Ends Thursday 28th March 2024 (full day)

SUMMER TERM – 2024

INSET Monday 15th April 2024

Term Starts Tuesday 16th April 2024

May Day Monday 6th May 2024 (Bank Holiday)

Half Term Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May inclusive

Term Ends Friday 5th July 2024 (full day)

Head of Senior School Mr Oakes Roakes@grange.org.uk

Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Mrs Eaton Heaton@grange.org.uk

School nurse Nurses@grange.org.uk

You can follow school news on the school website and social media www.grange.org.uk

Twitter https://twitter.com/Grange_Cheshire

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GrangeCheshire

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/grange_cheshire

YouTube

@TheGrangeSchoolCheshire